Best jazz albums of 2014

Handout

Butler, one of today's most leonine jazz pianists, partners with trumpeter Bernstein and like-minded spirits in an exuberant reappraisal of music from Butler's hometown, New Orleans. Butler's colossal pianism and evocative vocals would have been enough to make this recording a keeper.

Butler, one of today's most leonine jazz pianists, partners with trumpeter Bernstein and like-minded spirits in an exuberant reappraisal of music from Butler's hometown, New Orleans. Butler's colossal pianism and evocative vocals would have been enough to make this recording a keeper. (Handout)

Can the gnarly, rhythmically complex, densely scored works of 20th century iconoclast Ives be transformed for large jazz ensemble? The task may seem formidable, but arranger Cooper accomplishes it brilliantly, applying a jazz aesthetic to Ives classics and lesser known fare.

Can the gnarly, rhythmically complex, densely scored works of 20th century iconoclast Ives be transformed for large jazz ensemble? The task may seem formidable, but arranger Cooper accomplishes it brilliantly, applying a jazz aesthetic to Ives classics and lesser known fare. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)